What size/brand of barrel snap swivels do you use for throwing heavy plastic spinning baits like the whopper plopper to prevent line twists?

[Ohioguy25]

I’ve been using these size 14 Eagle Claw barrel snap swivels for throwing the WP 90 (1/2 oz) on a 7’ mojo casting rod spooled with 12 lb Trilene XL mono.  

It seems like either the weight of the lure or the stress of repeated casts is too much for them, however and I constantly find them either coming unsnapped or the wire coming out of the frame altogether. Are they not made to withstand this much weight/pressure? If not, what do you recommend? I got some off of Amazon that were equally inadequate. Thanks!

 

https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Claw-Barrel-Swivel-Safety/dp/B000EYTWDI?th=1&psc=1

 

[galyonj]

1. Use as small a snap as is feasible.
2. Use this style of snap instead of the style you posted. Snaps that lock to themselves are less likely to fail than the ones with a stamped metal keeper.
3. Don't use the swivel with the snap. Get rid of the swivel. You don't need it.

[ne_dan]

I like the Mustad Fastach, and like galyonj said ditch the swivel. 

 

I will say that the smaller Whopper Ploppers (75 & 90) are very speed dependent to fast and they spin.

[casts_by_fly]

A whopper plopper doesn’t need a snap or swivel. The main body shouldn't spin and if it is spinning then that means you have grass or something else between the tail and body that’s causing them to rotate together. Dead milfoil strands are bad for that.

 

i will use a snap on occasion with a plopper especially if I’m also throwing Crankbaits that day on the same rod. I forget the exact size, but I think they are number 2 and the heaviest wire I can get. We have large toothy critters here and I’ve had them straighten a snap. 

[Cbump]

No snaps ever. I see zero reason or need. 

[throttleplate]

6 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

I’ve been using these size 14 Eagle Claw barrel snap swivels for throwing the WP 90 (1/2 oz) on a 7’ mojo casting rod spooled with 12 lb Trilene XL mono.  

It seems like either the weight of the lure or the stress of repeated casts is too much for them, however and I constantly find them either coming unsnapped or the wire coming out of the frame altogether. Are they not made to withstand this much weight/pressure? If not, what do you recommend? I got some off of Amazon that were equally inadequate. Thanks!

 

https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Claw-Barrel-Swivel-Safety/dp/B000EYTWDI?th=1&psc=1

 

you need to switch brands, get vmc or spro.

[Woody B]

If a lure is twisting your line hold your rod up as high as you can with the lure dangling to let it untwist every couple casts.  

[Bluebasser86]

13 hours ago, Cbump said:

No snaps ever. I see zero reason or need. 

Same, never had an issue with a plopper twisting my line. 

[MN Fisher]

22 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Same, never had an issue with a plopper twisting my line. 

X-3 - whether I'm tossing a plopper on my crank-rig loaded with 12# YZH or the MH/F loaded with 40# 832-no leader...no swivel needed.

 

Carolina rigs and Donkey rigs are the only places I use a swivel for bass.

[Ohioguy25]

17 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

A whopper plopper doesn’t need a snap or swivel. The main body shouldn't spin and if it is spinning then that means you have grass or something else between the tail and body that’s causing them to rotate together. Dead milfoil strands are bad for that.

 

i will use a snap on occasion with a plopper especially if I’m also throwing Crankbaits that day on the same rod. I forget the exact size, but I think they are number 2 and the heaviest wire I can get. We have large toothy critters here and I’ve had them straighten a snap. 

Really? I thought it rotates and that’s what spins the propeller? Wonder why guy @ Field and Stream insisted I needed barrel swivels.

[galyonj]

4 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Really? I thought it rotates and that’s what spins the propeller? Wonder why guy @ Field and Stream insisted I needed barrel swivels.

 

The back of the lure rotates. The forward part of the lure, where you tie on, does not*.

 

* Unless you've buggered it up with weeds and slop, in which case the whole thing'll spin the entire way back.

 

Also I use snaps for just about all treble-hooked lures. It works for me. Be aware that using snaps DOES NOT give you a pass on checking your knots like you're supposed to.

[casts_by_fly]

2 hours ago, galyonj said:

 

The back of the lure rotates. The forward part of the lure, where you tie on, does not*.

 

* Unless you've buggered it up with weeds and slop, in which case the whole thing'll spin the entire way back.

 

Also I use snaps for just about all treble-hooked lures. It works for me. Be aware that using snaps DOES NOT give you a pass on checking your knots like you're supposed to.

what he said

 

2 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Really? I thought it rotates and that’s what spins the propeller? Wonder why guy @ Field and Stream insisted I needed barrel swivels.

 

maybe he’s never fished one or paid attention to one?

[Deleted account]

3 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Wonder why guy @ Field and Stream insisted I needed barrel swivels.

Because a Tactical guy said you needed one on the InterWeb, and bass guys are lemmings...

[Ohioguy25]

20 hours ago, Deleted account said:

Because a Tactical guy said you needed one on the InterWeb, and bass guys are lemmings...

Lol what? I said the employee at F&S said I needed one, not someone online.

[Fishingmickey]

3 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Lol what? I said the employee at F&S said I needed one, not someone online.

Ohio,

     You don't need a swivel. I have fished the plopper a bunch. The 90 is the one size I won't use.  It has a narrower body then the other sizes (not including the 60).  When you retrieve the 90 fast the whole thing will spin.  Also if you get any gunk or weeds caught between the prop and body of the bait it will also spin the entire lure.

     If you wanted to. You could install a good quality "ball bearing" swivel with a split ring to the front.  Then tie directly to it.

Happy Whopper Ploppering,

FM

[Ohioguy25]

5 hours ago, Fishingmickey said:

Ohio,

     You don't need a swivel. I have fished the plopper a bunch. The 90 is the one size I won't use.  It has a narrower body then the other sizes (not including the 60).  When you retrieve the 90 fast the whole thing will spin.  Also if you get any gunk or weeds caught between the prop and body of the bait it will also spin the entire lure.

     If you wanted to. You could install a good quality "ball bearing" swivel with a split ring to the front.  Then tie directly to it.

Happy Whopper Ploppering,

FM

So what size do you use, 75?

[Fishingmickey]

12 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

So what size do you use, 75?

I do use the 75 probably the most.  I also like the 110 and 130 for when I want a bigger presentation. The 75 I think has a bigger prop then the 90. I think it is the same size prop as the 110 and 130 and it has a shorter fatter body then the 90 which keeps it from spinning.

FM

[suzuki2903]

If using braid then a ball bearing swivel isn’t a bad thing and can lessen line twist  !  Yes many pros do this and some don’t, personal preference if you ask me.  There is no right or wrong 

[Standard]

I use the VMC duolock snaps or VMC crankbait snaps for bigger lures.  

 

I find if I get a really feisty smallmouth it can pop the duolock open if it thrashes around in the net.  Haven't had it happen with the crankbait snaps.  Gotta make sure to check the duolock after landing a fish.

[Scott F]

On 9/19/2022 at 6:16 PM, Ohioguy25 said:

I’ve been using these size 14 Eagle Claw barrel snap swivels for throwing the WP 90 (1/2 oz) on a 7’ mojo casting rod spooled with 12 lb Trilene XL mono.  

It seems like either the weight of the lure or the stress of repeated casts is too much for them, however and I constantly find them either coming unsnapped or the wire coming out of the frame altogether. Are they not made to withstand this much weight/pressure? If not, what do you recommend? I got some off of Amazon that were equally inadequate. Thanks!

 

https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Claw-Barrel-Swivel-Safety/dp/B000EYTWDI?th=1&psc=1

 

If you or anyone insists on using a snap or a snap swivel, never ever use the type you linked to. As you’ve said, they keep coming open and you will lose lures and fish. Spend the extra money and buy quality. Ball bearing swivels that actually rotate and cross lock snaps that stay closed are what you should be using.

[Ohioguy25]

On 9/19/2022 at 9:22 PM, casts_by_fly said:

A whopper plopper doesn’t need a snap or swivel. The main body shouldn't spin and if it is spinning then that means you have grass or something else between the tail and body that’s causing them to rotate together. Dead milfoil strands are bad for that.

 

i will use a snap on occasion with a plopper especially if I’m also throwing Crankbaits that day on the same rod. I forget the exact size, but I think they are number 2 and the heaviest wire I can get. We have large toothy critters here and I’ve had them straighten a snap. 

Just discovered it is spinning on the cast, not sure why I never thought of this.

[WRB]

I am not a Whooper Plooper user and have read a few complaints regarding line twist using this lure.

Suggest using a open eye swivel like VMC SST black Open Eye size 5. 

Simply install the open eye onto the lure line tie eye and squeeze the eye closed with needle nose plier. Solves the spinning proper when casting or retrieving the lure.

Tom

[Deleted account]

I tie direct to the WP and don't have issue with line twist. If you feel you need a swivel attach it via a split ring and forgo the snap. size doesn't really matter much, and different manufacturers vary, something around 30 lb test or so will be fine.

[Ohioguy25]

On 11/9/2022 at 6:04 PM, Deleted account said:

I tie direct to the WP and don't have issue with line twist. If you feel you need a swivel attach it via a split ring and forgo the snap. size doesn't really matter much, and different manufacturers vary, something around 30 lb test or so will be fine.

Why do you recommend eliminating snap?

[Deleted account]

1 hour ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Why do you recommend eliminating snap?

They aren't needed, and the cheap ones fail, and the good ones cost $.